Cancer and unequal access to health care set the agenda for World Health Day 2026

While science develops new tools such as vaccines and therapies, international organizations warn of persistent gaps in diagnosis and treatment. 

April 7 marks World Health Day, and on this occasion the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on people around the world under the slogan “Together for health. Stand with science.” With this campaign, the Organization seeks to highlight the role of scientific collaboration and its achievements in protecting the health of people, plants, animals and the planet, showcasing the “One Health” approach. 

The 2026 campaign invites people to take part through the hashtag #StandWithScience by sharing personal stories about how science improves lives, celebrating scientific achievements and committing to scientific evidence in health. 

The WHO event emphasizes the central role of science based on evidence, facts and guidance to protect health, while also seeking to rebuild trust in scientific advances and public health in order to move toward a healthier future. 

Cancer as the main challenge 

On World Health Day, cancer remains one of the main challenges for health systems around the world. According to WHO data, the disease causes millions of deaths every year, although between 30% and 50% of cases could be prevented through public health policies, access to screenings and vaccination strategies. 

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) maintains that inequalities in access to diagnosis and treatment continue to be a determining factor in mortality, reinforcing the need to strengthen health systems in the region. 

Along the same lines, scientific advances are opening new prospects in the fight against cancer. In recent years, research has been carried out on personalized messenger RNA vaccines that train the immune system to recognize and attack specific tumors. At the same time, recent trials have shown promising results, with patients experiencing no relapse for years. 

For its part, the WHO states that effective tools exist, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which can prevent several types of cancer. In this context, the Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that even amid unequal access to technologies, and unlike most other cancers, it is possible to eliminate cervical cancer, which represents a significant advance. 

Cervical cancer 

According to PAHO estimates, more than 78,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Americas and more than 40,000 die from the disease each year. Moreover, 83% of these deaths occur in Latin America and the Caribbean, a mortality rate three times higher than in North America, reflecting deep inequality in access to prevention, early detection and treatment services. 

Cervical cancer is one of more than 30 diseases and related conditions that PAHO and the WHO seek to eliminate as part of their Disease Elimination Initiative. To reach the goal, countries must meet three conditions by 2030: achieving 90% HPV vaccination coverage among girls under 15; screening 70% of women with high-performance tests at ages 35 and 45; and ensuring that 90% of women with precancerous lesions or invasive cancer receive appropriate treatment. 

PAHO highlights progress in the region. Its Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, stated that important progress can already be seen in the region, explaining that “the HPV vaccine is available in 49 of the 51 countries and territories of the Americas, with regional programmatic coverage of 70% for the first dose in women. In addition, 24 countries and territories have adopted a single-dose schedule, which significantly increases coverage.” 

Despite this, major challenges remain, particularly regarding the screening and treatment targets. Although 14 countries have introduced HPV screening tests into their programs, coverage remains low and data availability is still scarce. There are also significant gaps in treatment, as only 18 countries have radiotherapy services available, according to PAHO reports. 

If the trend continues, PAHO projects that deaths from cervical cancer in the Americas will exceed 46,000 by 2030, reinforcing the urgency of accelerating the implementation of health policies that are already available and expanding access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment in the region.

Guillermo Whpei

President of Fundación para la Democracia